Tools and material
High density paint such as tempera or stucco, other shades if you want to mix colours, brushes, sponges, rollers and stamps for relief or silhouette effects. Containers, buckets and work ladder.

Choosing the paint
- This is the most important task. Before purchasing you should visualise the effect you are after. Think of the colour or colours you want to mix and the type of paint you wish to use.
- Tempera paint is cheap and if applied in the correct density, without mixing with water or in small amounts, can be textured. Very easy to mix with other shades: have a couple of trial runs to see the result.
- There are other types of materials, such as stucco, or specific paints for texturing to give you a greater number of options.

Preparing the wall
- It is very important to ensure that the surface on which you are going to paint is in perfect condition before you start. Although textured paint to some extent fills any cracks, it is always best to first restore any defects.
- Fill in any cracks with joint putty. If the new paint does not adhere well to the old paint you should sandpaper and add sanding paste or chalk.
- If the wall is covered in wallpaper, remove it. And if there are other types of paints ensure that they will adequately support the textured paint.

Roller effects
- Apply the paint in the correct density with a normal brush or roller for this type of finish.
- Relief effects can be obtained by passing over a rubber roller with a specific relief.
- Paint as normal and allow to dry in accordance with the manufacturer�s instructions.

With combs and sponges
- There are painting combs available that vary in width and thickness. These can be passed over the recently applied layer of paint.
- You work upwards and sideways when the paint is still fresh. Square, rectangular, verticals or horizontals, harp effect, etc. There are no creative limits.
- If you apply pressure with a sponge, you can create interesting effects. You can also use plastic bags and cloths to create your own original style.

With stamps
- You can apply paints of two different colours and play with the shades.
- Apply the first layer of one colour and, once dry, apply the second.
- This second layer -still fresh- can be decorated with stamps of various styles. When you press them on to the wall the first layer of paint will appear and you can create striking contrasts in the shape of the stamps.
- Another option is to divide up the wall into different colours of textured paint in the style of a frieze.